Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge

BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Eric Hubbard, 34, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that on June 19, 2014, the defendant was walking down Genesee Street and was approached by a pair of Buffalo Police Officers. After refusing to show identification, the officers patted Hubbard down and detected a gun. A search revealed a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and 13 rounds of ammunition. The defendant subsequently stated to the arresting officers that the gun was “his girl’s” and that he was carrying it to protect himself.

As a result of two prior convictions in the State of Michigan, the first in 2002 for breaking and entering, and the second in 2003 for attempting to break and enter and assaulting or resisting a police officer, the defendant is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Ashan Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 21, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.